Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Best Uses for Botox

For at least a decade, Botox Cosmetic has been making itself a household name by eliminating wrinkle after wrinkle. Approved by the FDA as an anti-aging wrinkle treatment, Botox works to temporarily paralyze the facial muscles responsible for causing the creases in the skin that result in wrinkles. Not only can this diminish the appearance of your existing wrinkles, it can also work as a preventative measure against the formation of new lines and wrinkles. Botox is an ideal treatment for the small muscle groups of the face, often providing results that last up to a year. Today’s facial plastic surgeons have refined their techniques to deliver Botox treatments for a wide range of uses.

Eliminate Crow’s Feet

The area at the corner of the eye is a delicate place, often one of the first locations to show the signs of aging. Smiling, laughing, and squinting in the sun can all speed up the formation of crow’s feet, the very fine lines that form outward from the eyes. Often, prospective patients as early as their 30s and 40s are looking for a way to diminish these lines. By restricting the movements of the small muscles in this area, Botox Cosmetic provides an effective method of reducing or even eliminating crow’s feet. The procedure is safe, effective, and considered gentle enough for this treatment area.

Lift the Eyebrows

Another common side effect of aging is a sagging brow and forehead, which can advance if left untreated. Botox can provide short-term resolutions for these symptoms by freezing the forehead muscles near the brow, lifting it slightly upward. The result can leave you with a more youthful, yet natural-looking appearance. A skilled facial plastic surgeon will be able to provide treatments that will lift the brows evenly for your best results. While Botox can provide a temporary solution, some patients may seek more permanent results from a surgery. Explore all of your options during a consultation with your facial plastic surgeon, including an endoscopic eyebrow and forehead lift.

Banish Frown Lines

Another source of aging frustration for many men and women is the formation of “frown lines” just between the eyebrows. Created by pinching the eyebrows together in a frown or scowl, these lines can run deep and appearance as vertical creases above the nose. If you’ve done a lot of frowning in your lifetime, these can crop up fairly early and detract attention from your other facial features. With Botox, these lines can become almost invisible, leaving a smoother forehead behind instead. Some patients may also seek treatments for horizontal lines across the forehead at the same time.

Smooth the Neck

While neck lift surgery is a popular option for many patients looking to smooth the contours of the neck, Botox can provide similar results in a nonsurgical approach. For many patients, the aging process leaves the neck muscles looking stringy, forming what is known as “bands” along the neck from the jaw to the collarbone. With Botox treatments, the muscles can regain a more relaxed and natural-looking shape. Your facial plastic surgeon can design the right treatment plan to eliminate or diminish your neck’s muscular banding.

Beyond Cosmetic Uses

While the FDA has only approved Botox for cosmetic uses so far, more than a decade of use in thousands of patients has shown that this treatment might also offer some medical benefits. Early studies have discovered that Botox can potentially help patients in the following ways:

Soothing migraines. In 2010, the FDA did approve Botox as a treatment method for migraine headaches. Researchers discovered that injections at the tension site were able to soothe the nervous system, blocking the pain receptors responsible for the headache.

Curing excessive sweating. Some men and women have overactive sweat glands, which Botox may be able to treat. Injections underneath the arm can block the chemicals that stimulate the sweat glands.

Loosening stiff muscles. Chronic muscle pain and stiffness can be troublesome for many people. Botox injections at the affected area can ease these symptoms. Common treatment areas may include the elbows, wrists, and fingers.

In addition to these three main treatments, Botox is also being considered as a solution for even more medical troubles. In recent years, some physicians have used Botox in tests to treat crossed eyes or strabismus, uncontrollable blinking, and eyelid spasms or twitching. Furthermore, a neurological condition called cervical dystonia may also be alleviated with Botox treatments. Patients with cervical dystonia experience very painful neck and shoulder contractions; Botox can improve their ability to soothe, relax, and even control these muscles.

While Botox is still mainly a cosmetic treatment, medical research may reveal a wide range of medical applications that could positively affect the lives of many patients. If you’re wondering about how Botox treatments could help you, consult with a facial plastic surgeon to plan your approach.

Explore Botox Cosmetic’s Many Options

Botox is an affordable, convenient, and effective treatment option that can offer many benefits. To get more information about how Botox injections can benefit you, contact the Aesthetic Surgery Center to book an appointment with Dr. Anurag Agarwal or Dr. Richard Maloney, our double board certified facial plastic surgeons. They have been featured on many of the major news networks, including ABC, NBC, and FOX, as recognized experts on a variety of facial plastic surgery topics. Dr. Agarwal and Dr. Maloney believe that educating and communicating with their patients are the keys to helping them achieve successful, natural-looking results. Book your appointment at the Aesthetic Surgery Center, located at 11181 Health Park Boulevard #1115 in Naples, FL, by calling (239) 594-9100.

Anurag Agarwal, M.D., F.A.C.S.

I grew up in Washington, D.C., and I love the Washington Redskins. I gradually worked my way south to sunny Naples, Florida, and I love to spend time with my beautiful daughter. One of my passions is strenuous hiking and some mountain climbing.